WHAT A TWIST!

Chapter 100

The guy's eyes widened in terror as he immediately dropped to his knees, his palms rubbing together in a frantic gesture of supplication. "I swear I had no idea she was your girl, I swear!" he begged, his voice cracking with desperation. Hyun Min's gaze never wavered as he left the battered boss and approached the cowering guy.

He bent down to the guy's level, his eyes piercing. "Why did you hit her?" he asked, his voice low and even. The guy sniffled, tears streaming down his face. "I thought she was a random girl... I didn't know, I swear!" he cried, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush.

Hyun Min raised his hand, and the guy's eyes widened in terror, expecting a blow. But instead, Hyun Min's lips curled into a cold smile. "I have no plans of hitting you," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "I want you to apologize to her." The guy nodded vigorously, his face streaked with tears.

Hyun Min's smile grew wider. "And if I see you around her, what should I do to you?" The guy's voice trembled as he replied, "Kill me!" Hyun Min chuckled, a low, mirthless sound.

With a sudden change of subject, Hyun Min asked, "Where is the bathroom? I need to wash this filthy blood out!" The guy, still shaking, pointed a trembling finger towards the door. "It's... it's down the hall, second door on the right." Hyun Min nodded, his eyes never leaving the guy's face, before turning to head towards the bathroom.

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Hyun Min stood at the sink, washing his hands under the warm water, feeling the grime and blood wash away. He took a deep breath, letting the calmness of the moment wash over him. After drying his hands with a towel, he took a wipe and meticulously cleaned his hands, ensuring every last trace of dirt was gone.

With a sense of renewed composure, he headed outside, checking his watch as he walked. It was already past 5 pm. What a long day, he thought, feeling the weight of the day's events bearing down on him.

As he walked, his phone rang, shrill in the silence. He glanced at the caller ID, his mother's name flashing on the screen. He hesitated for a moment, then ignored the call. She probably wanted him to get ready for dinner, he thought, a mixture of annoyance and resignation swirling in his chest.

He wondered, not for the first time, if he wasn't adopted, does this woman care about his feelings at all? Does she understand him, so distant, so controlling? The thought sent a pang through him, a familiar ache he'd grown accustomed to over the years. He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present, and the steps he needed to take next.

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Chuchu stood in front of the mirror, her hairbrush gliding through her hair with a soft whoosh. Shantel's voice pierced the air, laced with trepidation. "You're telling me Na Yeon is not only back in school but remembers everything? How is that possible?"

Chuchu's eyes locked onto Shantel's, a maelstrom of fear and desperation swirling in their depths. "She's not just going to let it slide, Shantel. She's given me an ultimatum: stay away from Hyun Min, or she'll expose our little secret."

Shantel's face turned ashen. "Then we're royally screwed."

Chuchu's voice trembled as she revealed, "I'll do whatever it takes to keep Hyun Min close. I won't let Na Yeon dictate my life."

Shantel's anger erupted like a volcano. "Are you insane? You want us to get exposed and thrown behind bars for attempted murder? Think about the consequences, Chuchu!"

Chuchu's determination wavered for an instant before she steeled herself. "I'll find a way to fix this, Shantel. I always do."

Shantel's laughter was a cold, mirthless sound. "You know what's wrong with you, Chuchu? You're tone-deaf. You never listen, never learn. It's time I cut ties with you before you drag me down with you."

With that, Shantel turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving Chuchu standing alone. Minji, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of disdain and frustration, finally spoke up.

Chuchu turned to her, pleading. "Minji, please, don't abandon me too."

But Minji's response was a harsh dose of reality. "I'm done being your puppet, Chuchu. I'm tired of being controlled, tired of watching you obsess over someone who doesn't even look you. I'm out."

Minji's words cut deep, and Chuchu's face crumpled. "I'll be finding a new room," Minji continued, her voice firm. "I'll collect my belongings this evening. Good luck with your self-destruction, Chuchu."

With that, Minji walked out, leaving Chuchu standing alone, shattered and uncertain. Had she gone too far?

Chuchu's eyes fixed on the empty space around her, her mind replaying the argument with Shantel and Minji. She bit her nails. Her friends were gone, and she was left alone with her thoughts.

A mix of emotions swirled inside her: anger, sadness, and desperation. She thought about calling out to them, begging them to stay, but her pride wouldn't let her. Chuchu wasn't one to beg; she was used to getting what she wanted on her own terms.

As she sat there, her thoughts drifted to Hyun Min. She wanted him, needed him, and would do whatever it took to make him hers. The question was, what would she do next?